# Vile, Filthy RACIST Remarks-by Obama's PASTOR? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 15, 2008, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-filthy-racist-remarks-by-obamas-pastor/441421 "2008-03-15T00:15:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-filthy-racist-remarks-by-obamas-pastor/441421/261 "2008-03-16T02:07:39Z")
[QUOTE=JohnnieEnigma] OK, sorry I came across as harsh, it’s just that I’m so freaking sick and tired of seeing these videos of the reverend and I cannot help but wonder who exposed this shit to begin with… … the clinton camp, that’s who. [/QUOTE] You know what I’m sick of? This. Where’s your proof that Clinton or highly-placed surrogates decided “expose” this? I would say selling DVDs or posting videos of sermons online doesn’t make it difficult to “expose” anything. Hell, there’s no “exposing” to be done. Nobody raided the UCC HQ and got this tape out. Same with the “turban” photos. Because Matt Drudge said it came from the Clinton campaign… people believed it. Obama himself first said that he took Clinton at her word when she stated (no doubt after doing the press’ job and finding out if indeed it came from within the campaign) that the pictures did not originate from her campaign, and then a week later he’s saying that the photos were part of the Clinton “kitchen sink” strategy? Where, pray tell, are the “new politics” Obama and his ilk promise? I’m going to go out on a limb and say that there are plenty of people _not_ affiliated with the Clinton campaign aren’t big fans of Mr. Obama. Furthermore, I’m going to also say that there are intelligent, fair-minded people who investigate, ask questions, and do a little legwork to find out about the candidates. Every example of Obama having clay feet isn’t necessarily attributable to the Clinton campaign. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-filthy-racist-remarks-by-obamas-pastor/441421/262 "2008-03-16T02:12:12Z")
Yeah, well, it’s the kind of thing she WOULD do! That’s close enough! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-filthy-racist-remarks-by-obamas-pastor/441421/263 "2008-03-16T02:15:44Z")
[QUOTE=ElvisL1ves] Well, let’s consider that viewpoint. This thing is close and not yet decided (cheerleading notwithstanding), and it will be decided by just the few remaining primaries. [/quote] Okay, I’ll consider this. Wait one second… Okay, I’m still not seeing how Wright will cost Obama his win. Anyone who is swayed into voting for Hillary because of this probably would’ve been swayed by Ferraro’s comments already, and so the question is moot. And if Hillaryites like **The Flying Dutchman** have converted to Obama-manism _as a result_ of Obama’s handling of this incident, try as I may, I really can’t see this doing any real harm to him. It may give Hillary-supporters something to get fired up about, though. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-filthy-racist-remarks-by-obamas-pastor/441421/264 "2008-03-16T02:26:50Z")
There’s plenty of time left for this to percolate in the minds of the voters of PA and NC and further on. Way too early and way too little basis to brush it off the way you just did. It doesn’t matter a bit what you or I or anyone else thinks the remaining voters \*should \* think; it matters what they \*will \* think, agreed? Meanwhile, bear in mind that Rasmussen has shown a 7-point drop in Obama’s daily lead nationally \*already \* as of _today_. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-filthy-racist-remarks-by-obamas-pastor/441421/265 "2008-03-16T02:38:30Z")
We have how many days left to the next primary? I could understand the doom and gloom if all this was going on the eve before, as previous Obama “gotcha yas” have. But in terms of breaking scandals, I think the timing is off for this to matter much. Especially since this came on the heels of Ferraro and therefore looks like something Hillary’s people dug up to get the attention off of her (not saying this happened, but it does comes out looking that way). People will think about it, sure, but no doubt between here and PA, someone somewhere will say or do something stupid, and our attention will go there. Things of this size only matter on a cumulative, recurrent basis. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-filthy-racist-remarks-by-obamas-pastor/441421/266 "2008-03-16T02:49:37Z")
But will people think “Oh, this is just some other stupid thing a staffer or a remote adviser had to quit for”, like the Ferraro flap? Or will the percolated-in thought be “Obama went to this guy’s church for _25 years_, and even titled his book after one of his sermons, and this is what his sermons are _about_? Does Obama perhaps share the same attitudes under that layer of slick talk no matter how much he says he doesn’t?” Remember that what matters is what the remaining voters \*will \* think, not what they \*should \* think. Put that right after his NAFTA weaseling and the Rezko story that isn’t going away, and compare that to Clinton’s invulnerable reputation (as in there are few minds left capable of changing about her), and I think you’re being way too optimistic. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-filthy-racist-remarks-by-obamas-pastor/441421/267 "2008-03-16T02:51:31Z")
[QUOTE=JohnnieEnigma] … the clinton camp, that’s who. [/QUOTE] Wow. My Dad, the staunch Republican, who has been sending my emails about Rev. Wright for months now, is part of the “clinton camp.” Will wonders never cease. [Here](http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/01/barack_obama_and_israel.html) is an article from American Thinker, a pro-Isreal right wing blog, from mid January all about this. I’m not sure why this is getting so much traction now but it’s been around for quite some time. A lot of people have been concerned about this for a while and most of them are far from the “clinton camp.” ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-filthy-racist-remarks-by-obamas-pastor/441421/268 "2008-03-16T02:53:30Z")
[QUOTE=ElvisL1ves] There’s plenty of time left for this to percolate in the minds of the voters of PA and NC and further on. Way too early and way too little basis to brush it off the way you just did. It doesn’t matter a bit what you or I or anyone else thinks the remaining voters \*should \* think; it matters what they \*will \* think, agreed? Meanwhile, bear in mind that Rasmussen has shown a 7-point drop in Obama’s daily lead nationally \*already \* as of _today_. [/QUOTE] I decided to run over to Rasmussen and check out a few things…Looks like the latest and greatest has Obama ahead of McCain by 12 percentage points Clinton by only three in CT a bellwether state - this up from 8 percentage points over McCain on Friday. Also, from the latest Statistical noise from your 7 point down cite: > [@](#): > > Single night results are based upon very small samples and are more volatile than the overall tracking poll. These are people called who actually want to take a survey. Polling data is not a solid case to stand on. You know that. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-filthy-racist-remarks-by-obamas-pastor/441421/269 "2008-03-16T02:55:10Z")
Sure the data is damned noisy. But for the moment it’s the only data we’ve got - and \*none \* of it supports an assertion that this is blowing over. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-filthy-racist-remarks-by-obamas-pastor/441421/270 "2008-03-16T03:02:10Z")
[QUOTE=ElvisL1ves] Sure the data is damned noisy. But for the moment it’s the only data we’ve got - and \*none \* of it supports an assertion that this is blowing over. [/QUOTE] Non of it leads me to think it will get any more legs than the ferraro shit in the clinton camp either. Look, Wright is a wingnut, but I’m an educated white guy from a decent part of CT who hasn’t had any wool pulled over his eyes - and this story when read in any light, doens’t have the traction of a campaign breaker, not even close. And I’m scrutinizing the holy hell out of it, why? Because I want to know what I’m talking about when writing in these threads…instead of sounding like an ignorant fool by regurgitating what I read in online columns that support their view like some of the more colorful brethren on these boards. Not you mind you **Elvis** - as I see you as a well informed individual…but still, I don’t like this story any more than those in the clinton camp liked the ferraro comments, but I don’t see this thing rolling along and steaming over people. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-filthy-racist-remarks-by-obamas-pastor/441421/271 "2008-03-16T03:28:57Z")
According to one of the stories I read (I don’t remember which one) it was McCain’s campaign that sent the videos to the networks. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-filthy-racist-remarks-by-obamas-pastor/441421/272 "2008-03-16T03:41:48Z")
I invoke the Elucidian Principle of Democratic Indeterminancy (WTF, for short). Not only is it impossible to determine the trajectory of the people it is equally impossible to determine the current position. Particles are much more predictable than people. This thing might inflame the white populace in a veritable frenzy of racial resentment. They are just as likely to shrug it off with the same aplomb and disdain that they shrug off Ms. Ferraro. Or not. No way of knowing. Isn’t that just the coolest thing evah? If nothing else, democracy is just so much more _interesting_ that authoritarianism. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-filthy-racist-remarks-by-obamas-pastor/441421/273 "2008-03-16T03:46:03Z")
[QUOTE=hajario] [Here](http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/01/barack_obama_and_israel.html) is an article from American Thinker, a pro-Isreal right wing blog, from mid January all about this. I’m not sure why this is getting so much traction now but it’s been around for quite some time. A lot of people have been concerned about this for a while and most of them are far from the “clinton camp.” [/QUOTE] That article is nothing but a bunch of flimsy crap that’s been roundly debunked. > [@](#): > > Obama is strong on Israel > > By David A. Baram > Published: Wednesday, March 5, 2008 8:23 PM EST > > The Jewish Ledger’s Cover Story of Feb. 29, “President Obama?” selected an article by Ed Lasky in The American Thinker (a conservative on-line magazine) to question Senator Barack Obama’s support for Israel. This was unfortunate in that Lasky’s representations have been widely discredited. > > . . . > > The Philadelphia Jewish Voice in an article by Ira Forman, Feb. 2008, points out that Lasky’s article on “Obama and Israel” is filled with “half-truths, omissions of ‘inconvenient facts,’ innuendo, deeply flawed logic, undocumented charges, hearsay…” depicting Lasky’s attacks as “smear tactics.” Forman debunks Lasky’s analysis and assertions in a factual and convincing manner. Forman cites Haaretz’s Shmuel Rosner, who wrote that Obama “is pro-Israel. Period.” > > . . . > [http://www.jewishledger.com/articles/2008/03/12/opinions/edit03.txt](http://www.jewishledger.com/articles/2008/03/12/opinions/edit03.txt) From the above-referenced Philadelphia Jewish Voice: > [@](#): > > American Smear-Artist > Ed Lasky attacks Senator Barack Obama. > > . . . > > Lasky’s recent screed, “Barack Obama and Israel” offers a preview of what the GOP smear campaign would look like should Obama win the Democratic nomination. Given that similar smear campaigns have been launched against Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator John Edwards, it is clear these tactics will be used by conservative operatives in the General Election against any Democratic nominee. > > Lasky’s piece is filled with half-truths, omission of “inconvenient facts,” innuendo, deeply flawed logic, undocumented charges, hearsay, and guilt by distant association. > > . . . > > In bashing Obama, Lasky asks readers to ignore the Senator’s voting record and strong statements of support for Israel and instead judge the man on peripheral issues, some false, some mischaracterized and some based on oddball logic. > > In one bizarre passage, Lasky suggests Obama may be hostile to Israel because he spoke of a desire to see the world rid of all nuclear weapons (as did Ronald Reagan in the 1980’s). What does this have to do with Israel, one may ask? Lasky writes that Obama’s justification is “identical to arguments made in the Arab world that justify their pursuit of nuclear weapons because Israel has nuclear weapons.” To any true American “thinker” such non-sequitor is akin to asking, “do you walk to school, or bring your lunch?” > > . . . > > –more– > > [http://www.pjvoice.com/v32/32401lasky.aspx](http://www.pjvoice.com/v32/32401lasky.aspx) It’s really unfortunate that you would call attention to such an ugly piece of garbage here. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-filthy-racist-remarks-by-obamas-pastor/441421/274 "2008-03-16T03:51:46Z")
[QUOTE=hajario] I’m not sure why this is getting so much traction now but it’s been around for quite some time. [/QUOTE] Have to echo this. A friend of mine is a “moderate” ( and currently vaguely pro-Obama ) Evangelical Christian who until recently attended a very conservative church. He mentioned the perceived “anti-white” nature of Obama’s congregation to me months ago. In fact I initially dismissed this thread as old news. The only reason I can think of why this has suddenly become a hot potato is that some enterprising young reporter ( or professional character assassin ) has only just now managed to dig up damning video soundbites. Which seems remarkably lazy/inept if you ask me ;). ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-filthy-racist-remarks-by-obamas-pastor/441421/275 "2008-03-16T04:54:00Z")
[QUOTE=ElvisL1ves] the Rezko story that isn’t going away, [/QUOTE] Funny you should mention that, on the day that the Chicago Sun-Times, the major metro newspaper that’s been gunning for Obama for months, feels compelled, however grudgingly, to [admit that there’s no “gotcha ya” there.](http://www.suntimes.com/news/brown/844635,brown031508.article) > [@](#): > > We now have a fairly extensive account from Obama of his relationship with Rezko, including the house purchase. > > To the extent there are still gaps in our understanding, those are mostly a product of not having heard directly from Rezko or from the family that sold them their properties, and I don’t know that we ever will. > > On the central question: Did Obama do something improper in the purchase of the house? > > I see no proof he did, other than that he had no business at all getting involved with Rezko in any personal financial transaction. > > [snip] > > Obama made the point that if this is the worst thing we can find about him after 12 years in Chicago politics, then he’s done pretty well. > > Admitting he made a mistake with Rezko, Obama added: “Does it speak to a trend of mine? No.” > > If I have detected any trend in this, it’s only that Obama can be too obstinate when he feels under attack. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-filthy-racist-remarks-by-obamas-pastor/441421/276 "2008-03-16T05:02:33Z")
[QUOTE=EddyTeddyFreddy] Funny you should mention that, on the day that the Chicago Sun-Times, the major metro newspaper that’s been gunning for Obama for months, feels compelled, however grudgingly, to [admit that there’s no “gotcha ya” there.](http://www.suntimes.com/news/brown/844635,brown031508.article) [/QUOTE] Same goes for the Trib. > [@](#): > > U.S. Sen. Barack Obama waited 16 months to attempt the exorcism. But when he finally sat down with the Tribune editorial board Friday, Obama offered a lengthy and, to us, plausible explanation for the presence of now-indicted businessman Tony Rezko in his personal and political lives. > > The most remarkable facet of Obama’s 92-minute discussion was that, at the outset, he pledged to answer every question the Tribune journalists crammed into the room would put to him. And he did. > > . . . > > When we endorsed Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination Jan. 27, we said we had formed our opinions of him during 12 years of scrutiny. We concluded that the professional judgment and personal decency with which he has managed himself and his ambition distinguish him. > > Nothing Obama said in our editorial board room Friday diminishes that verdict. > > –more– > > [http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0316edit1mar16,0,2616801.story](http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0316edit1mar16,0,2616801.story) ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-filthy-racist-remarks-by-obamas-pastor/441421/277 "2008-03-16T05:05:59Z")
[QUOTE=Shayna] That article is nothing but a bunch of flimsy crap that’s been roundly debunked. [/QUOTE] Oh for Christ’s sake. You think that I don’t know that? I was pointing out that: 1. This Wright nonsense is nothing new and 2. It’s not coming from Clinton. ---
**Author:** ![9thFloor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/9/b487fb/32.png) [@9thFloor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/9thFloor)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-filthy-racist-remarks-by-obamas-pastor/441421/278 "2008-03-16T05:22:07Z")
[QUOTE=JohnnieEnigma] I haven’t read this thread yet, but I would like to say that Obama said the reverend has never spoke this way in front of him, and I believe Obama. Furthermore, the reverend’s political views have absolutely nothing to do with Obama… another thing, some of what the reverend said was true… so deal with it. One more thing, I don’t think this should affect Obama’s popularity at all, the reverend’s views are completely irrelevant to Obama. They are two separate entities. Oh… and let me just add that unless you have walked a mile in the old reverand’s shoes, then you can judge him, otherwise, put a cork in it… OK, sorry I came across as harsh, it’s just that I’m so freaking sick and tired of seeing these videos of the reverend and I cannot help but wonder who exposed this shit to begin with… … the clinton camp, that’s who. [/QUOTE] LOL I love how the Clintons get blamed for everything including Wright. Oh well. Obama, of course as per usual, immediately preemptively blamed the Clintons for assuredly ‘using it as political fodder’ against him. Of course, they haven’t. The full extent of what’s been said by the Clinton camp about Wright has been ‘no comment’ and L. Davis saying he believes Obama. Still, blame Hill and change the subject. So much for ‘new’ politics. I did enjoy Obama’s statement that he’d \*\*never \*\* been present when those kinds of remarks were made. It was a categorical statement. Which means it’ll just take one instance proving that he was, in fact, there to make him out as a liar (again). Said the NAFTA memo never happened, it did. Said full extent of Rezko was $150,000 (which was itself a revision of an earlier number), and it wasn’t ($250,000). The media will now have a field day finding proof of Obama’s having been there. That proof, of course, will be deflected by Jesus Obama Christ. But it won’t work. Someone stick a fork in him. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![9thFloor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/9/b487fb/32.png) [@9thFloor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/9thFloor)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-filthy-racist-remarks-by-obamas-pastor/441421/279 "2008-03-16T05:34:20Z")
[QUOTE=you with the face] Okay, I’ll consider this. Wait one second… Okay, I’m still not seeing how Wright will cost Obama his win. Anyone who is swayed into voting for Hillary because of this probably would’ve been swayed by Ferraro’s comments already, and so the question is moot. And if Hillaryites like **The Flying Dutchman** have converted to Obama-manism _as a result_ of Obama’s handling of this incident, try as I may, I really can’t see this doing any real harm to him. It may give Hillary-supporters something to get fired up about, though. [/QUOTE] No, I think it takes cumulative hits. Ferraro’s comment was one thing but some folks might’ve been not quite against Obama yet over that since it’s arguable as to whether or not she’s right (she asserted that the Obama campaign folks were the ones playing the old slice and dice politics by falsely accusing her of racism despite 40 years of fighting for civil rights). “God damn America!” + Michelle “I’m proud of my country for the first time” (she didn’t say proud of politics, she said proud of my country; sorry Obama) + don’t put hand over heart to pledge allegiance to the flag + Hillary was never “called a nigger” + Obama’s choice to not just merely attend his church but PUT him on his spiritual ADVISORY committee AFTER Wright had already said such things before (as someone pointed out, Obama knew a year ago and ‘denounced’ it then…but still kept him on the committee) + Rezko + NAFTA memo + Iraq doublespeak + Weathermen + cocaine +++ more to come. Ferraro’s comments wouldn’t in and of themselves have the weight of all of that plus more that will no doubt come out. Being once removed from Farrakhan via Wright isn’t going to sit very well with most. The only folks not bothered by that are those that wouldn’t switch away from Obama no matter what he did or said or associated with. He associates with the Wrights of the world to be down with black folks and then also wants to be ‘The Magic Negro’ as famously written in the LA opinion article when it comes to playing on white liberal guilt. I think the gig will be up. And I feel reasonably sure that his “Where’s Hillary’s tax returns?” not-negative-campaigning-because-Obama-is-doing-it tactic isn’t going to be enough to save him in the end. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2008, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-filthy-racist-remarks-by-obamas-pastor/441421/280 "2008-03-16T05:36:39Z")
[QUOTE=hajario] Oh for Christ’s sake. You think that I don’t know that? I was pointing out that: 1. This Wright nonsense is nothing new and 2. It’s not coming from Clinton. [/QUOTE] Truthfully? No, I couldn’t tell that you knew that. Ok, you did. Now other people do, too. Sorry to have offended. Obama on his former pastor in his in-depth interview with the Chicago Tribune: (bolding mine) > [@](#): > > _Tribune:_ The issue of [former U.S. Rep.] Geraldine Ferraro’s comments on the role your race has played in this campaign. Then comes the video that has comments that your pastor Jeremiah Wright has made. How are we to look at these, what’s the best way to look at this and in what context do you put them to the American people? > > \*Obama: \*Well, you know, I think they’re separate issues, but there is a relationship. I think you’re touching on something that’s worth talking about. I think, with respect to Geraldine Ferraro, I don’t think what she said was racist, and I was asked about this and I said I didn’t think that was what it was. I do think that what she said was wrong. > > The implication was that I was an affirmative action beneficiary. I think you can make an argument that my race might have played a role in my selection for the 2004 convention, but it doesn’t account for the fact that it was a pretty good speech. I think that my persona obviously includes the fact that I’m an African-American, and so to the extent that how I talk about issues of race and how I present myself is attractive to some voters, I think is undeniable. > > To suggest that I could have gotten through the gauntlet of the last 13 months against very experienced, very savvy, skilled politicians and find myself in the lead for the Democratic nomination, including against the dominant political machine in the Democratic Party over the last 20 years, seems pretty dismissive. > > And not just dismissive of me, but dismissive of voters. This idea that, “Oh, you know, let’s get a black guy in there,” I think just doesn’t make sense. So I think that it was looking at an issue through a racial lens that doesn’t make perfect sense. I mean, she could have made a subtle point about the role of race in my candidacy that could have been interesting. This wasn’t it. All right, so that’s Geraldine Ferraro. > > Rev. Wright. He preached his last sermon, he’s now in retirement. I’ve put out a statement today. Ill be honest with you, this is somebody who I’ve known for 20 years. I basically came to the church and became a member of the church through Trinity [United Church of Christ] and through him. He’s the person who gave me the line “the audacity of hope.” He is somebody who is a former Marine, a biblical scholar, has taught and lectured at major theological seminaries across the country and has been very widely regarded and admired. > > And, you know, he hasn’t been my political adviser, he’s been my pastor. And I have to say that the clips that have been shown over the past couple of days are deeply disturbing to me. **I wasn’t in church during those sermons.** > > The things he said and the way he said them I think are offensive. And I reject them, and they don’t reflect who I am or what I believe in. In fairness to him, this was sort of a greatest hits. **They basically culled five or six sermons out of 30 years of preaching. That doesn’t excuse them, and I’ve said so very clearly, but that’s not the relationship I had with him. That’s not the relationship I had with the church, and if I had heard those kinds of statements being said, if I had been in church on those days, I would have objected fiercely to them, and I would have told him personally.** > > When some of these statements first came to light was right around when I was starting to run for president. He was a year away from retirement, and the church itself is a pillar of the community and a well-regarded, well-known church. I suspect there are members of the Tribune family that are also members of Trinity. > > It is not what’s been painted as this separatist church or what have you, it is a very traditional African-American church on the South Side of Chicago. And most of the reverend’s sermons are the sermons of a traditional African-American pastor. And so my view was that it would not be appropriate for me to distance myself from the church. I put out a statement saying I profoundly disagree with these statements, and the fact that he is now retiring makes me not want to simply discard him. He’s like a member of the family, he’s like your uncle who says things you profoundly disagree with, but he’s still your uncle. > > \*Tribune: \*Geraldine Ferraro, she’s asked to leave, she leaves the campaign, she should have left. And some people see that, legitimately so. Then how should we see . . . > > _Obama:_ I think people should raise legitimate concerns about it. And the fact that he’s retiring, and we’ve got a young pastor, Otis Moss, coming in, means that people should understand the context of this relationship. That this is an aging pastor who’s about to retire and that I have made and will make some very clear statements about how profoundly I disagree with these statements. I don’t think they are reflective of the church. > > They’re certainly not reflective of my views. I do think there is an overlap in the sense that there is a generational shift that is taking place and has constantly taken pace in our society. And Rev. Wright is somebody who came of age in the 60s. And so like a lot of African-American men of fierce intelligence coming up in the '60s he has a lot of the language and the memories and the baggage of those times. And I represent a different generation with just a different set of life experiences, and so see race relations in just a different set of terms than he does, as does Otis Moss, who is slightly younger than me. And so the question then for me becomes what’s my relationship to that past? > > You know, I can completely just disown it and say I don’t understand it, but I do understand it. I understand the context with which he developed his views but also can still reject unequivocally. . . > > \*Tribune: \*You reject his views, you won’t reject the man. Is that it? > > _Obama:_ Yeah, exactly. And this is where the connection comes in. I mean, I do think that Geraldine Ferraro, the lens through which she looks at race, is different. . . . She’s grown up in different times. The Queens that she grew up in is, I’m sure, a different place than it was then. Just as Chicago is a different place than it was then. > > So part of my job is to see if I can help push the country into a different place with a different set of understandings. But as I said, it doesn’t excuse what the reverend said, and I’m very troubled by it. **And if, as I said, if I had heard those sermons, if I had been there when those sermons were taking place, I would have raised that with him, and if I had thought that that was the message being promoted on a consistent basis within that church, I don’t think I could be a consistent part of it.** > > . . . > > [http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-obamafullwebmar16,0,6442594,print.story](http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-obamafullwebmar16,0,6442594,print.story) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-filthy-racist-remarks-by-obamas-pastor/441421.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vile-filthy-racist-remarks-by-obamas-pastor/441421.md?page=15)